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Anthony Joshua ‘has had two chances to fight Tyson Fury’ amid fresh update on potential boxing bout

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Anthony Joshua And Tyson Fury 1

Boxing promoter Frank Warren has claimed Anthony Joshua has had two chances to fight Tyson Fury.

However, that ship appears to have sailed with the duo currently unlikely to ever face each other.

Joshua is currently preparing for Saturday night, with the 34-year-old primed to face Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia.

Fury, meanwhile, is gearing up for his fight with Oleksandr Usyk on February 17.

And Warren has now claimed Joshua has twice had the chance to fight Fury – only for neither party to ever find an agreement.

When asked about a potential showdown between the two Britons, the 71-year-old said: “He’d have a long wait for Tyson.

“Tyson’s got his fight and his programme’s set out for next year and at this moment in time doesn’t include Joshua.

“Joshua, he had two opportunities to fight him [Fury], one last December and this year.

Anthony Joshua And Tyson Fury 1

“Those fights didn’t happen for whatever reason and the situation is now that we are in a position where a number of big fights will be announced.

DON’T MISS: Michael Schumacher news: Two grave errors, heartbreaking statement and emotional regret after new documentary

“It all depends what happens on Saturday.”

Warren does, however, expect Joshua to seek a fight with Deontay Wilder if the pair win their respective fights at the weekend.

Wilder is also preparing to box in Saudi, with the American scheduled to go up against Joseph Parker.

And Warren added: “The joint-main events have a lot of significance as far as boxing’s concerned in as much that Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are involved in quite tasty and tough fights and should they come through then they’re going to be in a position where I believe they’re going to be facing off next year.

“That’s a massive, massive fight.

“A fight that a lot of people, certainly the fans talk about a lot.

“But to get there they’ve got to get through next Saturday night in Riyadh.

Anthony Joshua And Tyson Fury 1

“Get it out of the way on Saturday and all will be revealed but there’s a will to make this happen and I’m quite sure everybody’s going to be happy with the outcome provided these guys deliver.

“The most important thing for them, they’ve got to deliver.”

Meanwhile, Wallin recently discussed his upcoming showdown with Joshua.

He expressed a belief that, while Joshua remains one of the best figures in the sport, he’s also now a man past his best.He said: “I would say he is still one of the best heavyweights out there and he’s made an amazing career for himself.”There has been a decline and I think he has reached his peak already.

“I think he is mentally fragile, he’s not sure of himself.”He’s changed trainer and I think things can be very tough for him.”People are very critical of him, he’s got a lot of pressure. So I think that weighs on him.”

When asked about Joshua changing his trainer, he continued: “I think it’s a problem for him, for sure.”I’ve had my trainer now for 10 years.”We know each other really well. We trust each other in and out of the ring.

“He’s been with me for all of my pro fights except two, so it’s really been a good journey together and it’s fantastic we get this chance now to prove to everyone what we’ve been working on.

“For Joshua, it’s hard. When you keep changing trainer, it’s usually a bad sign and I think it’s a bad sign for him too.”

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BOXING

Report: Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder set March date for big fight

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REPORTS have claimed that former heavyweight boxing champions Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder have an agreement to fight each other at last.

The long-awaited clash is tentatively scheduled for March 9, 2024, according to ESPN.

The stars have been close to a big fight for several years, and will both be in action on the same night in separate bouts in Saudi Arabia this month.

Nigerian-Briton Joshua, a two-time World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation champion, is set to square off with Otto Wallin, whilst American former World Boxing Council champion Wilder will battle New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, both on December 23.

According to American network ESPN, Wilder and Joshua will return to Saudi Arabia three months after the ‘Day of Reckoning’ for a showdown much like the eagerly-anticipated meeting between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, which is scheduled for February 17.

Wilder, 38, recently claimed that the 34-year-old Joshua’s team has manipulated attendances over the years to make their fighter appear more popular.

“I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again, it’s a difference between champions being born and being made,” Wilder said.

“Joshua was made, he was a made fighter. They bought things, they gave him things. Even with certain things, with the arena. ‘Oh, they sold this’. No, you didn’t sell out nothing. You comped tickets and you resold them.

‘I know how the whole game works. I’m behind scenes. I know how things work. You wanted it to seem like it sold out, you put your tickets out there, and you build your own little ticket thing and you buy all your tickets.

“Now it seems like you sold out the arena. What you do? All you do is put it back on the market and resell it.

“It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book, when it comes to the business and now people on the outside looking in, ‘Oh my God, they sold out faster than Michael f****ng Jackson’. Are you serious? That’s how it is. That’s how the trick is done.”

Wilder previously claimed that he had offered Joshua’s camp £40 million, and accused his rival’s representatives of ‘holding him back’, resulting in the fight never taking place.

“Many times he wanted to fight, he wanted to accept it but his handlers didn’t want it because Joshua is the money-maker for the company,” Wilder told Mail Sport. “And if he goes down, so does the business.”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn denied the claims, admitting that Wilder’s camp had made the offer in a bid to get the fight made, but had failed to send a contract.

The Nigerian, who won super heavyweight boxing gold medal for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, has a professional record of 29 fights, with 26 victories (23 via knockout) and three losses.

Wilder, a heavyweight boxing bronze medallist at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, has fought 46 times as a professional, winning 43 (42 via knockout), losing two and drawing one.

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BOXING

Gervonta Davis leaks Eddie Hearn DM then goes on Instagram live to slam Bill Haney and Devin Haney

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gervonta davis

Gervonta Davis leaked a direct message from promoter Eddie Hearn before calling out Bill Haney and Devin Haney on Friday night.

Boxing fans are desperate to see lightweight contender Davis vs former undisputed champion Devin Haney.

The rivalry between the two fighters has ramped up following Haney’s victory over Regis Prograis last weekend, which sealed the WBC lightweight crown.

However, Davis took issue with Haney rehydrating to 165lbs to win a 140lbs title on the day of the fight.

It is understood Haney’s refusal to entertain a catchweight and rehydration clause for a fight with Davis is causing problems.

On Friday, Davis released a screenshot of a direct message from promoter Hearn on social media, which read: “Let’s talk!”

gervonta davis

The American boxer simply replied: “No.”

‘Tank’ then went live on Instagram to explain his actions, calling out Haney and his father Bill in the process.

Davis said: “If they wanna make the fight happen, tell them they know who to call. They’re broke. I’m supposed to get on the phone with Al [Haymon] tonight to talk to him about what these n***** are talking about.

“You see, Eddie [Hearn] has been in my DMs. No, I want your boss. If they want to make the fight happen, they know who to call, and I’m by the phone. All of them.”

Bill Haney then went live on Instagram to give his own version of events, claiming Davis rejected a guaranteed $20million to fight his son.

“I’m talking to you, the ex-face of boxing. This is the Devin Haney era,” said Bill Haney on Instagram.

““Bro, you turned down $20m guaranteed. $20m, bro. Are you serious, bro?”

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BOXING

WBC Head Disagrees With IBF Decision To Strip Title From Terence Crawford: ‘As a Fan I’m Sick’

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Terence Crawford

World Boxing Council boss Mauricio Sulaiman wasn’t too pleased with a rival sanctioning body’s decision to strip Terence Crawford of his 147-pound belt.

Crawford, of Omaha, Nebraska, fully unified all four belts in the welterweight division earlier this summer when he stopped Errol Spence Jr. in nine rounds in Las Vegas.

But last month, the International Boxing Federation stripped Crawford of his IBF belt, which elevated Jaron Ennis from interim status to full champion.

While sanctioning bodies can often make exceptions, the IBF was unwilling to grant Crawford an optional defense.

Terence Bud Crawford

The move left WBC’s Sulaiman scratching his head, saying in essence that the IBF was hurting the sport by slavishly following its own set of procedures.

“As a fan, I’m sick,” Sulaiman said on The DAZN Boxing Show. “The WBC has been trying to get Spence versus Crawford for three or four years. So we kept no mandatories in line that would hurt the process. Then we have an interim champion so the activity will continue. How can you go against Crawford? How can you go against the winner of [the heavyweight undisputed fight between Tyson]Fury-[Oleksandr] Usyk?”

“Of course [fighters should be allowed to go through with contractually-mandated rematches],” Sulaiman added. “Now [former undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell] Charlo has been stripped by the WBO and I think the IBF as well.”

“Absolutely nothing,” Sulaiman said when asked how it helps to strip a fighter like Crawford of his title. “How can you have the best fighter Terence Crawford not be recognized?”

“The ‘franchise’ designation is exactly that, recognizing the value of a fighter that exceeds the normal,” Sulaiman continued. “Canelo does that. Crawford does that. And [Juan Francisco] Estrada did. And [Vasiliy] Lomachenko had it. Franchise … provides a fighter a status that he can go after the big fights without having a consequence on his accolades as a champion.”

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BOXING

“I’ve Never Seen Someone Win”: Anthony Joshua Responds to Deontay Wilder’s “Weak Mentality” Jab Ahead of Saudi Arabia Fight

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anthony joshua

Deontay Wilder is bent on fighting Anthony Joshua. However, Wilder doubts if ‘AJ’ will ultimately meet ‘The Bronze Bomber’ in the ring. As a result of late, Wilder accused Joshua of possessing a weak mentality. However, he also hoped the former Unified Heavyweight champion would let go of this mentality and face Wilder after the Otto Wallin fight.

On the occasion of the December 23 fight against Wallin, Fight Hub TV interviewed Anthony Joshua. In this interview, he responded to Wilder with a jab.

Punches over mentality: Anthony Joshua takes a slight dig at Deontay Wilder

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, ahead of the fight against Otto Wallin, Anthony Joshua declared that punching power should be prioritized over mentality. In his opinion, once inside the ring, the ability to throw and land effective punches determines whether or not one will succeed. Likewise, confident in his skills, ‘AJ’ took a slight dig at Wilder, who found the former “mentally weak”.

Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder

“I’ve never seen someone win a fight by mental games. The way you win a fight is by punching someone more times or by punching someone harder than the other person,” ‘AJ’ told Fight Hub TV.

“At the end of the day, what can I say? It’s his [Deontay Wilder’s] point of view. But at the end of the day, the one who throws more punches or lands the harder punches will win not the one who has an opinion about someone’s mentality,” he added with conviction. In this context, speaking about his mentality regarding the upcoming fight, ‘AJ’ declared he wanted to close the year with a third win in 2023.

End with a ‘bang’: Joshua hopes to deliver a spectacular performance against Otto Wallin

Despite calling Joshua mentally weak, Wilder declared Anthony Joshua would likely win against Otto Wallin. On that note, Joshua found himself on the same as ‘The Bronze Bomber’. “I want to close the year off with a high. So, another challenge isn’t it? I’m climbing higher heights again. I’m getting hungrier. Just want to be victorious if I’m honest with you,” stated Joshua.

“I’m focused [and] I’m locked in. This year’s been full of dedication. All gas, no breaks. I want to end it with a bang, to be honest,” he concluded. With that said, do you believe Joshua will defeat Wallin? Also, do wish to see Wilder vs. ‘AJ’? Let us know in the comments below.

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BOXING

Devin Haney challenges Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis: “You’re a p—y.”

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gervonta davis

Devin Haney is living a sweet moment after his win over Regis Prograis and now there are several possibilities for “The Dream.” The first is to defend the super lightweight title against the number one WBC challenger Sandor Martin, as long as he wins his fight this Saturday; the second is to unify with Rolly Romero, Teofimo Lopez or Subriel Matias; the third is to move up a category, an option that he has already hinted at.

The truth is that because of his status, he is in a privileged position to choose. But the reality is that Haney must remain in the 140-pound category (63.5 kg) despite the sacrifice that may entail. He was able to gain 25 pounds (11.33 kg) in the rehydration period against Prograis.

One thing that Haney is particularly proud of is his meticulous approach to nutrition with the SNAC (Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning) system, whose founder and CEO Victor Conte was in the shadows for a few months due to the BALCO scandal, a laboratory similar to SNAC. Because of his weight-gaining abilities and work with SNAC, “The Dream” wanted to respond to critics who say he has an advantage.

Gervonta Davis

“I’ve been doing the same thing for years, just killing myself to make weight after the weigh-in….. The world said I had pads on my fists and I was this and that! Now, once I go up, they pull out every excuse in the book,” said Haney. “I didn’t beat Regis by bullying him with my weight, I beat him because of my skills.”

Devin Haney challenges Tank Davis

Haney also called out Gervonta “Tank” Davis, who would have to move up to super lightweight to make a fight between them happen.

Tank is a p—y…. He always says I want to fight when I already have a fight scheduled. Well now I’m free! Let’s make it happen,” Haney said.

Would Davis want to enter this fight knowing that such a dangerous opponent is capable of moving up 25 pounds before the fight? The answer is no.

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BOXING

Chris Colbert: “I Want Gervonta Davis” After Valenzuela Rematch

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Gervonta tank davis

Looking ahead isn’t something that Chris Colbert normally indulges in but he knows he’s just one win away from landing numerous big-time fights.

Colbert’s time at 135 pounds was supposed to be short-lived. However, after taking a look at the barren landscape at 130, Colbert figured that it made little to no sense to go back down in weight. So, with the Brooklyn native getting ready to run things back with Jose Valenzuela, the 27-year-old already knows who he wants to face immediately after.

“I want Gervonta Davis,” said Colbert to BoxingScene.com during a recent interview. “Gervonta Davis is the best guy in the 135-pound division. Gervonta Davis is a tremendous fighter.”

For the first time in a long time, Colbert (17-1, 6 KOs) handled this particular training camp a bit differently. Usually, Colbert’s camps take place in the heart of Brooklyn. But, with coach Sosa, his current trainer, forced to deal with prior obligations, Colbert packed his bags and headed down to Baltimore.

Colbert worked closely with Barry Hunter and several members of Davis’ team. He also worked side by side with Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) himself.

Gervonta-Davis

There was something inspiring about hitting the pads and doing drills next to a three-division champ who just so happens to be a multi-millionaire and one of the most popular fighters in the sport. Of course, Colbert wants that fame and fortune for himself. With that said, the loquacious contender appreciates who Davis has become and everything he went through to finally get there.

“Watching him motivated me,” continued Colbert. “That’s a young black man that came from the trenches like me making millions. He can do whatever he wants and step the way he wanna step. He motivates me to keep going and work harder and be a better fighter. I like working around fighters like that.”

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BOXING

‘I understand his frustration’: Terence Crawford reacts to being stripped, Jaron Ennis being promoted to full champion

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terence crawford

Terence Crawford says he’s been in Jaron Ennis’ position before so can understand how difficult it can be.

There’s been plenty of talk about the recent news of Terence Crawford losing his undisputed status after being stripped by the IBF, who then elevated Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis to full champion. Here, in a conversation with Fight Hype, Crawford gives his own reaction to what’s transpired and says he’s unbothered. Check out some of what he had to say below.

Crawford on getting stripped by the IBF

“I’m not mad at ‘em. I got what I needed and that was undisputed and the rest is history. I don’t care about none of that.”

On if he’s frustrated about getting stripped

“Not at all. Like I said, I came into that fight looking to become undisputed. I became undisputed so there’s nothing there for me to accomplish at that point in time. I did what I said I said I was gonna do; I came, I saw, I conquered, and it’s on to the next.”

On being stripped so quickly after winning the belt when Spence was seemingly afforded allowances

Terence Crawford

“It is what it is. They pick and choose who they want to grant certain things to and if they was going to do something like that I feel like they should’ve stripped Spence prior to the fight given that they knew it was a two-fight deal going into the fight. So who knows. They knew I couldn’t just get out of my contract with Spence to fight Boots, so it is what it is.”

On if it’s a shame for Boots not to be able to win the full title in the ring

“Yeah, I know that’s not ideal, how he wanted to win it. I know he’s disappointed that he couldn’t win it from a champion and whatnot. It’s disappointing for him but if I was him I would just tell them ‘I want to fight for it. I’d rather fight the #3 guy if I couldn’t get the other guy. Don’t send me a belt in the mail.’

“But it just seems like everybody cool with being email champions now and whatnot, just to be called world champion. He got three belts, he got like two interim belts, and now they’re going to send him another belt. So he’ll have three of the same belts and it’s like come on man, you’re walking around with three of the same belts.

“I don’t know. He waited a long time. I can’t knock him because I was in that position once before, waiting my time to fight Spence and trying to get these big opportunities, get these guys in the ring with me, and I understand his frustration. I been on the other side of the stick before so I know it’s frustrating that he can’t get those fights but it’s part of the game.”

On if he considers Ennis to be his successor to the welterweight division

“Oh yeah. In the future, definitely. When Terence Crawford leave the division. But right now Terence Crawford is the ultimate of all ultimates in the division.”

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua ‘left grieving’ after realising career dream will never happen during candid interview

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua has revealed his grief in a candid and open interview with Laura Woods ahead of his fight on December 23.

Joshua returns to action next weekend when he faces Otto Wallin in the main-event of the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He goes into the bout having won back-to-back fights following his consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, where he lost his unified titles then the chance to regain them.

After his defeat in the rematch, the 34-year-old broke down in the ring as he delivered an emotional post-fight interview.

Speaking after his second loss to Usyk, he said: “It’s really, really hard for me to say I’m proud of myself. I don’t feel anything, I’m just… I’m upset. Deep, down in my heart.”

Asked by Woods whether he went through a stage of grieving after the defeat, the former world heavyweight champion replied: “Yeah you saw it after that [Usyk fight].”

Anthony-Joshua 2

he replied” “Yeah, was that grief?”

Joshua added: “Yeah. Because if I weren’t in the undisputed race anymore, I wanted to be champion so that was like a massive, like, I don’t know how to explain it but something comes over you but it’s just passion.

“Passion, a lot of emotion. Yeah, a lot of emotion. So, now I’ve got over that. It’s not part of my plan anymore. So, what’s next I could aim to become champion.”

He continued: “Because it’s still like you could still fight this person. You could talk about that person. And this person just emerged out of nowhere. So, there’s still competition.”

Joshua, who has no world title to his name, could still become undisputed champion if he can secure a fight against the winner of Tyson Fury vs. Usyk.

Of course, he needs to get past Wallin next weekend then Wilder in 2024.

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua Rules Himself Out Of Challenging To Become Undisputed World Heavyweight Championv

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Anthony Joshua

Former boxing Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua has opened up on his realisation that he may not become undisputed heavyweight champion, claiming the feat is ‘not in my time frame’.

The 34-year-old is set to take on Otto Wallin on December 23 in a blockbuster night of boxing that will also see Deontay Wilder face Joseph Parker in another big heavyweight match.

Joshua comes into the bout off the back of consecutive wins against Jermaine Franklin Jr and Robert Helenius and also admitted that he would like to take on Wilder or even Francis Ngannou in 2024.

Despite that, Joshua says his chances of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion after he lost his WBO, WBA, IBO and IBF belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2020, is very slim as he may have to wait six years before he can pick up those belts again.

In an interview with TNT Sports, the fighter was asked by Laura Woods whether he feels he could still be a challenger for the undisputed title, but he said: ‘I used to, but it won’t happen anymore.’

When pressed on why, he explained: ‘I think it is because of the reality because what will happen is that Usyk and Fury are in a position to compete for the undisputed. And once they compete for the undisputed, the belts will get split up again.

Anthony Joshua

‘And I feel will probably take me about maybe five to six years to go through and get all the belts and beat all the independent champions, and that will probably take me until I’m 40 or 41 before I do that again. So I’m just like, it’s probably not in my in time frame.’

After suffering back-to-back defeats by Usyk in August, Joshua delivered an emotional post-fight press conference, where he broke down in tears while expressing his disappointment in his performance.

Joshua said after the fight: ‘It’s really, really hard for me to say I’m proud of myself. I don’t feel anything, I’m just… I’m upset. Deep, down in my heart.’

And when asked whether he went through a period of grieving after the defeat, Joshua said: ‘Yeah you saw it after that [Usyk fight].’

‘Yeah, was that grief?’ Woods replied.

‘Yeah. Because if I weren’t in the undisputed race anymore, I wanted to be champion so that was like a massive, like, I don’t know how to explain it but something comes over you but it’s just passion.

‘Passion, a lot of emotion. Yeah, a lot of emotion. So, now I’ve got over that. It’s not part of my plan anymore. So what’s next I could aim to become champion.’

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